Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region)★★
The Caprivi Strip (officially "Zambezi Region" since 2013) is Namibia's green finger — a narrow strip of land stretching 450 km eastwards, bordering Angola, Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It is the exact opposite of the rest of Namibia: green, wet, water-rich, and tropical.
Named after the German Chancellor Leo von Caprivi, who negotiated the strip as access to the Zambezi River in 1890, this region is a hidden wildlife paradise:
- Bwabwata National Park: Elephant herds migrating between Namibia and Botswana. The Mahango Core Area is excellent for wildlife viewing
- Mudumu National Park: Wild dogs, buffaloes, hippos, and giant crocodiles on the Kwando River
- Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili): Namibia's "Mini-Okavango" — a wetland with seasonal flooding, sitatunga antelopes, and spectacular birdlife
- Impalila Island: At the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi — Namibia's easternmost point, directly opposite Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
The Caprivi is the only part of Namibia with year-round water and is particularly interesting in the dry season (June–October), when thousands of elephants and buffaloes migrate to the rivers.
💡 Tipp
The Caprivi is the perfect extension for a Namibia–Botswana–Victoria Falls combination. From Katima Mulilo, you can reach the Chobe National Park (Botswana) and the Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe/Zambia) in just a few hours.
